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cnbc.com
South Korea's Kospi clocks best month in 28 years as tech optimism triumphs over Iran war worries
The index's outsized gains have been driven largely by optimism around the artificial intelligence boom.
cnbc.com
Shares of Jeep maker Stellantis fall more than 7% after first-quarter results
The multinational conglomerate posted first-quarter adjusted operating income of 960 million euros ($1.19 billion), comfortably beating analyst expectations.
theguardian.com
Bank of England expected to hold interest rates at noon as it assesses fallout from Iran war – business live
Brent crude jumps another 7% to highest since March 2022 on report US is considering military options against IranFrance’s economy did not grow at all during the first quarter, with households spending less and a slump in exports.GDP was unchanged between January and March, after 0.2% growth in the fourth quarter, according to figures from the French statistics office Insee. Continue reading...
cnbc.com
Volkswagen posts 14% drop in first-quarter profit on tariff pressure, China competition
The results come as top European original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) navigate several industry headwinds.
cnbc.com
European markets tumble as oil prices surge; ECB and BOE decisions ahead
European stocks opened sharply lower on Thursday as investors assess soaring oil prices and await more earnings and central bank moves.
bbc.com
Oil jumps to highest price since 2022 after report Trump to be briefed on new Iran options
Axios reported that US Central Command has prepared a plan for a wave of "short and powerful" strikes on Iran.
cnbc.com
CNBC Daily Open: ‘Sell in May’ comes early?
Market turbulence picks up amid reports the U.S. military will brief President Donald Trump on potential new action against Iran.
theguardian.com
In plane sight: how the gilded elite live – in pictures
From golf tournaments to shooting parties, these images of photographer Will Vogt’s social circle offer us an intimate glimpse of a world that feels out of reach Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Revealed: British ad firm’s billion-dollar greenwash of US oil industry
WPP accused of breaching its climate policy after report reveals firm linked to twice as much oil advertising as US rivalsA British advertising conglomerate has helped the oil companies ExxonMobil, Chevron, Shell and BP spend an estimated $1.5bn (£1.1bn) on adverts in the US since the 2015 Paris agreement to tackle the climate crisis, a report shows.London-based WPP was the leading advertising group serving the US’s oil industry over the past decade, according to analysis by the climate investigations platform DeSmog. The figure is nearly twice the respective amounts linked to its US rivals Omnicom and Interpublic Group (IPG), which merged in November. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Galaxy S26 review: Samsung’s still-compact flagship Android
Small top-tier Android is great to use, being fast, AI-loaded and with reasonable battery life, but falls short of rivals on cameraSamsung’s compact flagship phone hasn’t changed much in a year, but the S26 is still one of the best smaller handsets available as rivals grow larger and larger.The S26 is the cheapest and smallest of this year’s top Samsungs, dwarfed by the top-of-the-line S26 Ultra in size and price. But like everything with a memory chip at the moment, the S26 has increased in price by £80 or the equivalent to £879 (€949/$899/A$1,349). At least it has double the starting storage. Continue reading...
cnbc.com
Brent crude hits 4-year high, soaring past $126, as U.S. military to reportedly brief Trump on action against Iran
Brent crude has surged to its highest levels since mid-2022, LSEG data shows, as the Middle East conflict chokes supplies.
cnbc.com
Israel’s economy and financial markets are booming — even as conflict rages in the Middle East
The Israeli economy is massively outperforming a swathe of developed-market peers, including key ally the United States.
theguardian.com
Taiwan accuses China of vegetable laundering via Vietnam
Taiwanese officials have accused firms in China of attempting to evade import restrictions by rerouting vegetables through neighbouring VietnamTaipei has accused China of smuggling vegetables into Taiwan via Vietnam in a bid to evade import restrictions, with officials vowing to crack down on a practice they say amounts to “origin washing”.Taiwan, which bans the importation of more than 1,000 Chinese agricultural and fishery products, said firms in China were evading restrictions by rerouting vegetables like Napa cabbage and shiitake mushrooms through neighbouring Vietnam. Continue reading...
cnbc.com
SoftBank reportedly weighs $100 billion valuation for new AI and robotics spinout in potential U.S. IPO
SoftBank Group is planning to create and list a standalone artificial intelligence and robotics company, coined "Roze" in the U.S.
bbc.com
Food bank stocks 'low as client numbers increase'
Guernsey Welfare Service says demand has grown and it could increase further.
bbc.com
Homeowners turn to solar panels as oil prices rise
Yorkshire installers report up to a tenfold increase in interest since the start of the Iran war.
theguardian.com
Rising costs forcing 3m UK households to skip meals, Which? report finds
Consumer insight tracker shows 85% are worried about food prices and a majority think the economy will deteriorateThree million UK households are being forced to skip meals as consumers resort to drastic measures to deal with rising costs, according to a Which? report published on Thursday.The conflict in the Middle East and subsequent surge in oil and raw material prices has led to businesses preparing to raise prices, putting more pressure on household finances and hitting consumer confidence. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
‘Nightmare’ queues and missed flights: readers report turbulent start to EU entry-exit system
Some travellers spent hours in lines at airport, with kiosks not working, little seating and few staff on hand to helpSome travellers passing through the new EU entry-exit system (EES) have faced huge delays at border checks, with some waiting for up to three hours, airports say.The new rules have gradually been introduced in Europe since October 2025, and came into effect on Friday in the Schengen countries – 25 of the EU’s 27 states plus Iceland, Norway, Liechtenstein and Switzerland. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Labour is facing wipeout in its final stronghold. Why? It’s housing, housing, housing | Aditya Chakrabortty
In the 1980s, Labour-controlled London built 52,000 council homes. During the Tony Blair decade, just 280. It’s brought this local-election catastrophe on itselfOver the week to come, journalists will repeat three things until they, and you, are sick: that local elections fall next Thursday; that the results will decide the fate of Keir Starmer; and that he is set to do badly. But just how badly, and where? Last week, Starmer’s own party dropped a big clue.The most popular politician in Britain came down from Manchester to spend the whole day campaigning in London. As Andy Burnham went from Haringey to Brixton, he rallied Labour’s footsoldiers. “Don’t go into the last two weeks with your shoulders down,” he told them. “Get your shoulders up.”Aditya Chakrabortty is a Guardian columnist Continue reading...
cnbc.com
Nvidia just invested in the AI legal startup that's splashing Jude Law ads everywhere
Swedish startup Legora has raised more than $800 million in the past 12 months, and the latest deal values it at $5.6 billion.
cnbc.com
Samsung profit surges over eightfold to beat estimates as AI boom fuels memory chip crunch
Samsung Electronics reported an over eightfold increase in first-quarter operating profits, hitting a new record and beating analysts' estimates.
cnbc.com
Amazon earnings beat expectations with strong cloud growth
Revenue in Amazon's cloud computing segment expanded 28% year over year, topping analysts' estimates.
cnbc.com
China factory activity tops expectations in April — but growth slows as new orders soften
The official purchasing managers' index reading of 50.3 was higher than the the 50.1 expected by Reuters-polled economists.
cnbc.com
Alphabet ups 2026 capex to as much as $190 billion, expects to 'significantly increase' in 2027
Alphabet reported first-quarter earnings, posting booming cloud revenue and upping its full-year capex spend to as much as $190 billion.
cnbc.com
Microsoft calls for $190 billion in 2026 capital spending on soaring memory prices
Microsoft's forecast on revenue and operating margin was light, but the company sees $190 billion in 2026 capital spending, well above Wall Street's estimate.
cnbc.com
Saudi Arabia's PIF to end funding of LIV Golf league after this season
A committee of independent directors will evaluate strategic alternatives for LIV Golf after PIF pulls its funding, people familiar with the matter told CNBC.
cnbc.com
Meta stock drops on quarterly results as 'internet disruptions' in Iran drag down user numbers
Meta beat on revenue, but showed disappointing user numbers and its capital expenditures were below estimates.
cnbc.com
CNBC Daily Open: Trump's big threats and Big Tech's bigger wallets
Iran is back at the top of our headlines after U.S. President Donald Trump threatened Tehran again.
cnbc.com
Inside India newsletter: AI is exposing cracks in India’s growth story as it hits high-paying IT jobs
India’s IT sector fueled consumption growth, but AI is reducing mass hiring now, revealing a shortage of quality jobs, risking future economic momentum.
bbc.com
Meta shares slide as plan to spend billions more on AI spooks investors
Other tech giants Alphabet, Microsoft and Amazon also reported quarterly earnings on Wednesday.
bbc.com
A son overlooked and a jailed tycoon: Inside Samsung's succession drama
The family dynasty behind Samsung is so complicated it regularly makes headline news in South Korea.
bbc.com
Musk accuses OpenAI lawyer of trying to 'trick' him in combative testimony
Elon Musk was cross-examined on the third day of the trial over his lawsuit against Sam Altman and OpenAI.
cnbc.com
Anthropic in talks with investors to raise funds at $900 billion valuation, higher than OpenAI
Anthropic is in talks with investors about raising cash at a valuation of $900 billion, CNBC has confirmed.
bbc.com
The kelp producer who wants to get Americans eating seaweed
Marine farmer Suzie Flores also hopes the crop can revitalise the US's small fishing towns.
bbc.com
Interest rates expected to be held as uncertainty over Iran war continues
Future base rate changes are hard to predict as analysts judge the economic impact of the Iran war.
bbc.com
Oil price rises above $120 after reports of 'extended' Iran blockade
The price of crude oil has swung sharply as uncertainty over the war in the Middle East continues.
theguardian.com
Tech giants’ results show rosy outlook for AI boom and US stock market
Google, Microsoft and Amazon report gains in cloud-computing businesses while Meta spending draws concern Unusual simultaneous reports of financial results by several of the US’s largest tech companies gave positive indications for the stock market despite widespread fears of an AI bubble on Wednesday.Four of the so-called Magnificent Seven tech stocks, the most valuable publicly traded companies in the world, reported their quarterly financial results on Wednesday. The cluster is not typical, as these disclosures do not often occur on the same day, and provides a snapshot of how the tech industry is faring as it rides the AI boom. Amazon, Alphabet and Microsoft all revealed double-digit gains in their cloud computing units, which have seen supercharged growth thanks to increasing adoption of AI. Meta, not in the business of cloud computing, failed to meet Wall Street expectations. Continue reading...
cnbc.com
Paramount CEO David Ellison wants to release 30 films annually. History and Hollywood say it's unrealistic
While David Ellison has set a lofty goal for Paramount to release 30 films a year, there's no recent precedent for such a haul.
theguardian.com
Jerome Powell to stay on Fed board after central bank holds rates steady in defiance of Trump
Chair planned to exit after inquiry into building renovations but will now oversee ‘remaining steps in the process’Sign up for the Breaking News US email to get newsletter alerts in your inboxThe US Federal Reserve chair, Jerome Powell, will remain on the central bank’s rate-setting board after his term as chair ends in May, a contentious move that signals continued uncertainty at the Fed.Powell made the announcement after the Fed board on Wednesday left interest rates unchanged for the third time this year, despite Donald Trump’s continued demands for rate cuts. Continue reading...
cnbc.com
Bill Ackman's Pershing Square USA fund falls sharply in public market debut
The listing gives public investors their first direct stake in Ackman's investment platform, which runs a concentrated portfolio of 10 large-cap names.
bbc.com
Four key takeaways from Jerome Powell's final rate decision as Fed chair
Powell's news conference after holding rates covered the US-Israel war with Iran, inflation, legal attacks, and the Fed's independence.
cnbc.com
Fed holds rates steady but with highest level of dissent since 1992
The Federal Reserve on Wednesday released its latest decision on interest rates.
theguardian.com
Senior UK ministers deride Rachel Reeves’s reported plan of year-long rent freeze
Housing secretary and housing minister latest to criticise idea, which has also been ruled out by No 10Senior ministers have poured scorn on the idea of freezing private sector rents for a year, less than 48 hours after the Guardian revealed Rachel Reeves was considering it.Steve Reed, the housing secretary, and Matthew Pennycook, the housing minister, became the latest government figures to criticise the idea, which has since been ruled out by No 10. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
The Guardian view on the UAE quitting Opec: whatever importers pay, the price of fossil fuels is too high | Editorial
The world must accelerate the shift to renewables, regardless of the economic effects of Abu Dhabi’s decisionOpec appears to be the latest casualty of the Iran war. On Tuesday, the United Arab Emirates announced that it was leaving the oil cartel after 60 years. The loss of a critical member is a blow to the group and its de facto leader, Saudi Arabia, in the midst of the biggest supply crisis in history.This is a geopolitical decision, not merely an economic one. The UAE has built itself into an increasingly interventionist and unilaterally minded power, not only challenging Riyadh’s dominance but undermining its more cautious approach to regional affairs. The rift has become increasingly public and bitter – with Saudi Arabia bombing what it called a UAE-linked arms shipment in Yemen in December. Abu Dhabi, as the main target of Iranian strikes among the Gulf countries, is also enraged by what it sees as a feeble regional response to the current conflict, and has been privately pushing for counterattacks.Do you have an opinion on the issues raised in this article? If you would like to submit a response of up to 300 words by email to be considered for publication in our letters section, please click here. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Rachel Reeves’s plan to mandate how pension funds invest was always a mistake | Nils Pratley
You can understand the motivation – more UK investment by UK funds means faster UK growth – but fiduciary duty trumps allA simple principle lies at the heart of pension investment: the pension manager must invest in the best interest of the client. UK ministers have often wished UK funds would show more home bias by channelling more pensioners’ cash towards domestic assets in the interests of economic growth, but the fundamental rule of the game has always been understood. You don’t mess with the fiduciary duty.Thus, when Rachel Reeves a year ago unveiled her Mansion House accord – a pledge by 17 of the biggest providers to earmark a slice of workplace pensions for UK private assets – it was made clear the arrangement was voluntary. What’s more, as the signatories emphasised, the commitment was “subject to fiduciary duty and the consumer duty” and “dependent on implementation by the government and regulators of critical enablers”. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Nigel Farage referred to standards watchdog over undisclosed £5m gift
Rival parties demand investigation as Tory party chair refers Reform UK leader to commissioner over gift from crypto tycoonExclusive: Farage given undisclosed £5m by crypto tycoonAnalysis: Farage’s attempt to get ahead of story raises more questionsNigel Farage has been referred to parliament’s standards watchdog after the Guardian revealed he received an undeclared £5m gift from a party donor.The referral was made by the Conservative party, citing rules that require MPs to declare any “personal benefit” they have received in the 12 months before taking office, and to do so within a month of being elected. Continue reading...
bbc.com
In five charts - How UAE's exit could affect Opec's influence over the oil price
The BBC takes a look in charts at what the UAE's departure could mean for the oil cartel and more widely.
bbc.com
'Shock' for paper firm staff amid closure proposal
Paper and packaging firm DS Smith says it is consulting with staff.
theguardian.com
Co-op marking commonly stolen items with forensic spray to track reselling
Wave of measures has helped cut offending in stores last year by a fifth as new retail crime law comes into forceCo-op is secretly marking commonly stolen items including alcohol and laundry detergents with invisible “forensic spray” to track them, in the latest crackdown on shoplifting as a new law on retail crime kicks in.The supermarket aims to use the technique across the country having tested it in Manchester and London since last year. Continue reading...
bbc.com
'Numbskull, moron and too stupid': Trump and Powell's biggest clashes
How the US President Donald Trump and Federal Reserve chair Jerome Powell came to blows.
theguardian.com
Farage’s attempt to get ahead of £5m gift story only raises more questions
Reform leader went public after approach from Guardian, but does his claim stack up that money was for his security?Nigel Farage was given undisclosed £5m by crypto billionaire in 2024Farage referred to standards watchdog over undisclosed £5m giftNigel Farage has admitted he received a personal gift of £5m from the Reform UK mega-donor Christopher Harborne shortly before the general election in 2024.He did not disclose that gift at the time and had made no mention of it since. That is, until Wednesday morning, when the Daily Telegraph published a story in which Farage admitted receiving the money from Harborne – saying it was for his personal security. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
A bathroom for every passenger! Welcome to future of air travel – if you’ve got £13,000 to spare
You already get extra legroom and all sorts of goodies if you travel first class. Soon you won’t even have to queue for the toiletName: The aeroplane en suiteAge: Coming soon. Continue reading...
cnbc.com
Here's everything to expect when the Fed issues its latest interest rate decision Wednesday
In what could be Jerome Powell's final meeting as Fed chair, he and his fellow policymakers are likely to continue their cautious approach.
cnbc.com
Trump Fed pick Kevin Warsh clears key Senate hurdle, teeing up final vote
Current Fed Chair Jerome Powell has faced a barrage of criticism from Trump over his refusal to slash interest rates as much as the president wants.
theguardian.com
Reliance on Chinese green tech poses ‘serious’ risk for Europe, experts say
Continent ‘sleepwalking’ into series of economic and national security problems due to over-dependenceEurope is “sleepwalking” into a series of economic and national security problems because of an over-reliance on Chinese green technology, according to experts.A report co-authored by Michael Collins, a former deputy head of national security strategy at the UK Cabinet Office, described the risks of depending on China for green tech as “serious”. Continue reading...
cnbc.com
UAE's departure from the OPEC oil cartel is not without precedent. Who could be next?
The United Arab Emirates' decision to leave OPEC is reverberating across global energy markets, sparking questions on who else could follow.
bbc.com
What is expected to happen to UK interest rates?
The interest rate set by the Bank of England affects mortgage, loan and savings rates for millions.
cnbc.com
A million-dollar gold bear emerges ahead of the Fed decision
Someone sold upside call exposure in the SPDR Gold ETF (GLD) while simultaneously buying downside put exposure in a two-pronged trade.
cnbc.com
Trump threatens Iran with AI picture of himself with a gun: 'No more Mr. Nice guy!'
Oil prices continued to rise on Wednesday after U.S. President Donald Trump appeared to threaten Iran in a TruthSocial post.
cnbc.com
Jet fuel bidding war breaks out as airlines confront ‘global stress test’ over shortages and cancellations
The continent must "fight for every cargo" in what analysts have dubbed a "global stress test" for the airline industry.
theguardian.com
Families sue OpenAI over failure to report Canada mass shooter’s behavior on ChatGPT
New lawsuits allege employees urged company to notify authorities months before deadly Tumbler Ridge attackFamilies of seven victims of a mass shooting at a secondary school in British Columbia are suing OpenAI and the company’s CEO for negligence after it failed to alert authorities to the shooter’s troubling conversations with ChatGPT.The lawsuits, filed on Wednesday in a federal court in San Francisco, allege that the violent intentions of the shooter, identified as 18-year-old Jesse Van Rootselaar, were well-known to OpenAI. Employees at the company flagged the shooter’s account eight months before the attack and determined that it posed “a credible and specific threat of gun violence against real people”, according to the lawsuit. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Purdue Pharma to be dissolved as judge approves criminal sentence in opioid case
OxyContin maker to be replaced by new company aiming to combat opioid crisis as legal settlement takes effectPurdue Pharma, which makes OxyContin, is set to be dissolved and replaced by a company focused on the public good by the week’s end, as a sweeping legal settlement resolving thousands of lawsuits takes effect.A federal judge on Tuesday delivered a criminal sentence to the company to resolve a US Department of Justice investigation – a last necessary step to clear the way for the settlement. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
‘There’s no streetlights’: North Yorkshire restaurant told to stop driving diners home
Award-winning chef and husband ordered to stop offering lifts home from rurally located HansomIt was when people were bringing a change of shoes to walk home that a couple running an acclaimed restaurant in North Yorkshire thought: “Actually, why don’t we give you a lift?”But the arrangement, loved by customers, has fallen foul of the council, which has informed Ruth Hansom and her husband, Mark, that they were in breach of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976. Continue reading...
cnbc.com
OpenAI looms over earnings from tech hyperscalers
Amazon, Alphabet, Meta and Microsoft report quarterly results after the bell, and OpenAI is likely to be a big topic across the board.
theguardian.com
Panini football sticker collectors face £1,000 outlay for 48-team World Cup
112-page album will require 980 unique stickers to fillIndividual packets of seven stickers cost £1.25 in BritainSoaring prices at the pumps, grocery bills on the rise, and now it seems inflation will be hitting the pockets hard of those football fans for whom no World Cup would be complete without the thrill of opening a packet of Panini stickers.Since the Italian company’s first sticker collection, at the 1970 World Cup in Mexico, striving to complete the set has been an obsession around the globe with swapping of doubles and the search for rarities mandatory. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
The bridesmaid ban: how the Home Office tarnished a British citizen’s big day – and cost them £2,000
Everything was in place for Andrea’s dream celebration in Barbados. Then her close friend was denied the right to walk across a British airport to board a connecting flightWeddings can be complicated to organise, especially when the venue is more than 4,000 miles from home. But Andrea, a Londoner, was confident she and her partner, Josh, had thought of everything when they planned their dream wedding in Barbados for the beginning of May.The British couple – Andrea of Nigerian and Josh of Bajan heritage – booked a stunning venue, with tropical gardens and spectacular views. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Exclusive: Nigel Farage was given undisclosed £5m by crypto billionaire in 2024
Reform leader changed his mind about standing as MP after gift from Thai-based crypto tycoon Christopher HarborneAnalysis: Farage’s bid to get ahead of story only raises more questionsFarage referred to standards watchdog over undisclosed £5m giftNigel Farage was given £5m by the crypto billionaire Christopher Harborne shortly before announcing he would stand in the 2024 British general election, the Guardian can reveal.Farage had stated he did not intend to stand as a prospective MP but U-turned in June 2024, within weeks of receiving the personal gift from the Thailand-based businessman. Continue reading...
bbc.com
Why has the UAE left Opec - and why does this matter?
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is quitting oil cartel Opec after nearly 60 years of membership.
bbc.com
Musk accuses Altman of stealing a charity as courtroom battle begins
The case over OpenAI's history and public commitments could have major implications for the future of AI.
theguardian.com
Meta found in breach of EU law for failing to keep children off platforms
Commission says tech company does not have effective measures to keep under-13s off Facebook and InstagramThe tech company Meta has been found to be in breach of EU law for failing to prevent children under 13 from using its Facebook and Instagram platforms.Issuing the preliminary findings of a nearly two-year investigation, the European Commission said on Wednesday that Meta did not have effective measures in place to stop under-13s accessing its services. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Lloyds takes £151m hit from Iran war as it forecasts rise in UK unemployment
Bank expects its base case for GDP growth to be 0.5% this year, lower than IMF’s 0.8% prediction for BritainBusiness live – latest updatesLloyds has said that the economic fallout from the Middle East conflict could cost it £151m amid rising unemployment and inflation and a slowdown in the housing market.The FTSE 100 group, whose brands include Lloyds Bank, Halifax and Bank of Scotland, issued a downbeat economic forecast that it said reflected the stagflationary consequences – the double hit of rising inflation at the same time as slower economic growth – for the UK and global economies. Continue reading...
bbc.com
What do shoppers think about the future of their high street?
Freshney Place is being renovated to include a new food hall and five-screen cinema.
theguardian.com
Meet the AI jailbreakers: ‘I see the worst things humanity has produced’
To test the safety and security of AI, hackers have to trick large language models into breaking their own rules. It requires ingenuity and manipulation – and can come at a deep emotional costA few months ago, Valen Tagliabue sat in his hotel room watching his chatbot, and felt euphoric. He had just manipulated it so skilfully, so subtly, that it began ignoring its own safety rules. It told him how to sequence new, potentially lethal pathogens and how to make them resistant to known drugs.Tagliabue had spent much of the previous two years testing and prodding large language models such as Claude and ChatGPT, always with the aim of making them say things they shouldn’t. But this was one of his most advanced “hacks” yet: a sophisticated plan of manipulation, which involved him being cruel, vindictive, sycophantic, even abusive. “I fell into this dark flow where I knew exactly what to say, and what the model would say back, and I watched it pour out everything,” he says. Thanks to him, the creators of the chatbot could now fix the flaw he had found, hopefully making it a little safer for everyone. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Trump in tough spot as he tries to avoid deal that highlights US failures in Iran
Washington facing long economic war or risky military action to reopen strait of Hormuz – which may now be more valuable to Iran than a nuclear weaponPete Hegseth denies Iran war is a ‘quagmire’ as estimated US cost so far hits $25bnDonald Trump is learning first-hand about the perils of mission creep.The US-Israel war in Iran has just passed its eighth week – twice as long as the president predicted it would take when US warplanes launched their joint attack with Israeli forces to decapitate the Iranian leadership and paralyse its military. The military attacks were successful. The predictions about the political cause-and-effect to follow were not. Continue reading...
cnbc.com
Will rates go higher in Europe this week? Central banks confront stagflation threat
The European Central Bank and Bank of England are expected to hold their nerve and stand pat on rates this month.
bbc.com
United Arab Emirates to quit oil cartel Opec
The UAE's decision, after nearly 60 years of membership, is seen as a potential death knell for the oil cartel.
bbc.com
Advert for £49 serum banned over 'five years younger' claim
Eucerin asked 160 people to use the serum for four weeks then say how much younger they thought they looked.
theguardian.com
Rachel Reeves’s tax shake-up: time to plan ahead, from Isas to self-assessment
The chancellor’s changes will come into force in April 2027, affecting everyone from savers to landlords and sole traders. Experts say to act nowMillions of people will be affected by a range of savings, investment and tax changes that take effect in just under a year’s time.“April 2027 may feel some way off, but when it comes to financial planning, a year is not a long time,” says Jason Hollands at the wealth management firm Evelyn Partners. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Classic Football Shirts: inside the vault home to their most valuable vintage gear – video
Classic Football Shirts have been in business for 20 years, selling over one million shirts (so far) and keeping the most iconic match-worn pieces in their temperature-controlled vault. Michael Butler travelled to Manchester to meet the CFS founders Continue reading...
theguardian.com
In the coming AI future, Britain must not end up at the mercy of US tech giants | Rafael Behr
Trump is volatile, capricious and unreasonable – but he belongs to the old world of analogue power. What comes next will be harder to manageDonald Trump is not impressed by soft power. He respects hard men with military muscle. But he can be moved by pageantry, which is the purpose of King Charles’s visit to Washington this week. Trump is flattered to rub shoulders with majesty. The good vibes are then supposed to radiate warmth through a political relationship that has been chilled by the war in Iran.It might work, but not for long. Trump’s irritation with Keir Starmer and other European leaders for what he calls cowardice in the Middle East is aggravated daily by evidence that the war is a strategic calamity.Rafael Behr is a Guardian columnistGuardian Newsroom: Can Labour come back from the brink? On Thursday 30 April, join Gaby Hinsliff, Zoe Williams, Polly Toynbee and Rafael Behr as they discuss how much of a threat Labour faces from the Green party and Reform UK – and whether Keir Starmer can survive as leader. Book tickets here or at guardian.live Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Siri, where does Apple go next? – podcast
Guardian US tech editor Blake Montgomery talks about the future of Apple after the resignation of its longtime CEO Tim CookWhere does Apple – perhaps the most iconic tech company on Earth – go next?Last week its CEO, Tim Cook, stood down after 15 years. As US Guardian tech editor Blake Montgomery explains, when Cook took over after the death of the charismatic Steve Jobs, there were doubts he could build on his predecessor’s success. In fact, he has overseen extraordinary growth. After a decade of building global supply chains – and charming presidents from Xi Jinping to Donald Trump – he now presides over a company worth $4tn. Continue reading...
bbc.com
A fresh financial crisis may be coming - it won't play out like the last one
Several warning lights are flashing that have some wondering whether we are in the foothills of another financial crisis.
bbc.com
Flying cars and 5-minute charges: China's EV industry sees opportunity in Iran crisis
As the US-Iran has sent the world scrambling for fuel, China is positioned to benefit from its rapid shift into electric vehicles.
theguardian.com
Another shadow banking hit – but otherwise, Barclays looks fine
The bank should not sound the all-clear but twin embarrassments do not mean the current credit cycle will end in tearsBarclays cuts back risky lending after £228m hit from UK mortgage firm MFSThe Barclays boss CS Venkatakrishnan, having seen the bank hit in the space of six months by two high-profile blow-ups in the world of shadow banking, is pledging to take more care. “We are constraining lending to certain structured finance counterparties who operate more vulnerable business models and cannot convince us of the quality and independence of their financial controls,” he said.There’s an obvious response to that vow of greater vigilance: what were you doing previously? Wouldn’t it have been a good idea in the first place not to lend to high-risk outfits with unconvincing financial controls – for example, those with large mortgage exposures but small audit firms? There was, in other words, a sense in the chief executive’s comments of stable doors being shut rather too late. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Ben Jennings on BP’s Iran war profits – cartoon
Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Address checks are lacking at the DVLA | Brief letters
Another fine mess | The rise of ‘ghost owners’ | NHS cancer screening | Full ‘wazzock’ insult | Cloning monarch butterfliesThe Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency does not appear to check addresses of car owners even when it has them on record (Rise of the ‘ghost owner’: 18,000 UK vehicles in use without proper records, 23 April). Where I live, two vehicles are registered that are not mine, and the ultra-low emission zone fines, parking charges and bailiffs’ letters for motoring infractions are piling up. Surely there should be checks before a V5C logbook is issued?Graeme ThornArnos Grove, London• The increase in ghost owners of vehicles will not be stemmed by controlling who sells cloned plates. For a young person, the cost of insurance could be £1,500 a year. If they get caught, the fine is £400 and points on their licence. That will be seen as a no-brainer. They might think again if the penalty was £5,000, loss of licence and the vehicle being scrapped.Simon Allen Wendover, Buckhinghamshire Continue reading...
bbc.com
Faisal Islam: Why the UAE's exit from Opec is a big deal
It will have little effect on the current oil blockades, but it could change everything afterwards.
bbc.com
Why Sam Altman and his former hero Elon Musk are taking their toxic feud to court
The battle between the AI big hitters has largely played out on social media. Now it is coming to the courtroom.
bbc.com
Nostalgia wasn't enough: What went wrong at Claire's
Experts says Claire's suffered from a perfect storm of issues which has spelled the end for the accessories chain.
theguardian.com
Tell us: how are you adjusting your household finances as the Iran war pushes up costs?
We’d like to hear how you’re adapting your expenditure as the cost of living rises amid the conflict in the Middle EastRising prices and economic uncertainty linked to the conflict in the Middle East are putting pressure on household budgets across the world.The International Monetary Fund has warned the conflict is pushing up the cost of energy and food, increasing borrowing costs and weighing on economic growth. Surveys suggest millions of households are already making changes to cope – cutting back, dipping into savings or taking on debt. Continue reading...
bbc.com
BP profits more than double as Iran war sends oil prices higher
The energy giant said it had seen an "exceptional" performance at its oil trading business.
theguardian.com
Super fly: can an electric aircraft spark a quiet revolution in New York travel?
Joby Aviation says its futuristic aircraft reaches Manhattan from JFK in 10 minutes at a ‘premium car service’ priceIt’s neither a bird nor a plane, and it is vehemently not a helicopter, but instead this week some New Yorkers witnessed an “electric vertical takeoff and landing” aircraft buzzing around the city, which developers say could revolutionize travel in New York.Joby Aviation’s fully electric aircraft conducted multiple flights from JFK airport in Queens to Manhattan in recent days, which would have turned heads to anyone looking up. It’s a futuristic-looking design, somewhere between helicopter and drone, and is capable of speeds up to 200mph. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
‘It’s a gamechanger’: Lewis Hamilton’s groundbreaking Mission 44 recruits working in F1
Foundation set up by F1 great is beginning to address the lack of representation of black people and those from disadvantaged backgrounds in motorsportSports people can be more than the sum of their athletic achievements. Lewis Hamilton stands unquestionably as one of the greatest drivers in the history of Formula One having delivered records and outstanding performances that will be hard to surpass. Yet it is indicative of his character that the seven-time world champion rates them all as sitting only alongside what might ultimately be his most significant and long-lasting legacy. His Mission 44 foundation is making an indelible impact on the makeup of motorsport.“Talent is everywhere, opportunity isn’t and that’s what we’re here to change. Setting up Mission 44 is one of the things I’m most proud of,” Hamilton says, reflecting on the foundation he created five years ago. “I’ve been working in F1 for 20 years and I know first-hand how important it is to have representation in our sport, and how difficult it is for young people to get an opportunity.” Continue reading...
bbc.com
Airlines cutting fares to lure hesitant customers, says Wizz Air
Boss József Váradi says European firms want to boost flyers put off by fares inflated by jet fuel costs.
bbc.com
'Emergency handbrake' needed on sickness benefits, Blair think tank says
The Tony Blair Institute says people with conditions like anxiety should get employment support instead of cash benefits.
bbc.com
Prada launches Indian-made sandals after cultural appropriation backlash
Prada had faced backlash last year after it showcased similar designs at a fashion show without acknowledging their Indian roots.
theguardian.com
EE couldn’t change pricey broadband and TV deal after my husband died
It cheerily addressed letters to my late spouse, and threatened penalties if he terminated his contractAfter my husband died suddenly, I discovered he had been paying £171 a month for our EE broadband and TV contract. EE initially offered me a monthly deal at £44.99 on the phone.There followed two letters, one day apart, cheerily addressed to my late husband. The first stated that he would have to pay £1,007 to terminate his contract; the second giving a termination fee of £520. The letters told him he could take the contract with him when he moved house. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Humanoid robots to become baggage handlers in Japan airport experiment
Japan Airlines will introduce the robots for trial run at a Tokyo airport amid country’s surge in inbound tourism and worsening labour shortagesJapan’s famously conscientious but overburdened baggage handlers will soon be joined by extra staff at Tokyo’s Haneda airport – although their new colleagues will need to take regular recharging breaks.Japan Airlines will introduce humanoid robots on a trial basis from the beginning of May, with a view to deploying them permanently as a solution to the country’s chronic labour shortage. Continue reading...
bbc.com
My tenant owes £15,000 in rent, but I can't get them out of the property
Landlords tell BBC News why they fear new laws could make it harder to remove problematic tenants.
bbc.com
I had £20,000 stolen and had to fight a 13-month fraud reporting rule to get it back
Sarah has now got her money back but there are calls to reform the deadline for reporting scams to banks.
bbc.com
Why Spotify has no button to filter out AI music
Music streamer Deezer allows users to filter out AI music, so why does Spotify not offer the same?
bbc.com
Greggs removes cabinets in shoplifting hotspots
Greggs is removing display cabinets in London stores that have been most severely hit by shoplifters.
bbc.com
Claire's closes all 154 stores in UK and Ireland with loss of 1,300 jobs
All of the chain's standalone stores have stopped trading in the UK and Ireland.
bbc.com
Why Elon Musk and Sam Altman are fighting over OpenAI
Musk, who co-founded the company that created ChatGPT with Altman, wants more than $130bn in damages.
bbc.com
How climate change threatens the economic backbone of the Pacific
Tuna populations around the Pacific Islands could move away as ocean temperatures increase.
bbc.com
From scientist to silk farmer: India's silk industry renewal
Silk production is an increasingly high-tech business in India.
bbc.com
High street drug dealer sells cannabis to undercover reporter
Across the UK, shopfronts are being exploited by criminal gangs pushing illegal drugs, experts say.
bbc.com
What the Warner Bros deal could mean for streaming, cinemas and news
If Paramount's takeover of Warner Bros goes ahead it could significantly reshape Hollywood.
bbc.com
Watch: BBC goes undercover at mini-mart selling drugs
BBC UK editor Ed Thomas confronts a shopkeeper secretly filmed selling cannabis and cocaine to one of our researchers.
bbc.com
How a pivot to hair accessories led to business success
Jenny Lennick's colourful hair clips are sold across the US and around the world.
bbc.com
The 'dumb machine' promising a clean energy breakthrough
A stellarator is difficult to build, but could it be the best way to make fusion energy work?
bbc.com
Why your recycled clothes could end up in this South American desert
Old garments from around the world are being discarded in the South American country.
bbc.com
Scammers are becoming ever more sophisticated - this is what the fightback looks like
Scams have exploded over the last few years. Can countries and companies come together to turn the tables on the scammers?
bbc.com
Could a digital twin make you into a 'superworker'?
Firms say digital twins make staff more productive, but are they a potential legal minefield?
bbc.com
Back to books - Sweden's schools cutting back on digital learning
Swedish classrooms swap laptops for books, pens and paper, raising concerns from the tech sector.
bbc.com
Quantum computing: A tech race Europe could win?
With some promising computing companies in the field, could Europe be a leader in quantum tech?
bbc.com
The Dutch village at risk of being demolished
Moerdijk has been earmarked for removal, to make way for a vast electricity substation.
bbc.com
'Every drop of water counts': Fear for the future of Argentina's glaciers
A controversial law to ease protections for the glaciers has passed, opening the doors for mining.
bbc.com
The £5.30 orange juice that tells the story of why supermarket prices are sky high
Butter, chocolate, coffee and milk have all seen prices rocket. Tracing back through the story of one particular supermarket staple begins to explain why
bbc.com
Prepare for turbulence - how a prolonged Middle East conflict could reshape how we fly
The Gulf's hub airports made long-distance travel cheaper - but now their future looks unclear.
bbc.com
Sir John Curtice: Why Labour's Brexit focus has shifted from Leavers to Remainers
Will the pursuit of a closer relationship with the EU risk courting electoral disaster by alienating Brexit-backing voters?
bbc.com
The real impact of roadworks on the country - and why they're set to get worse
There is a fine balance between the benefits of improved infrastructure, versus the cost of disruption. Does the country have it right?
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